The Trump administration has been holding secret meetings in Washington over the past four months with representatives from Greenland and Denmark to discuss expanding US control over the Arctic island. The talks, revealed by a New York Times investigation, aim to revise a 1951 defense agreement to allow indefinite US military presence in Greenland, even if it becomes independent. The United States is also seeking veto power over major investment deals to block Russian and Chinese influence, and joint access to Greenland’s oil, uranium, and rare earth resources. Greenlandic leaders have expressed deep concern that these demands threaten their sovereignty. They fear that once tensions with Iran ease, President Trump may again focus on asserting dominance over Greenland. Danish and Greenlandic officials have strongly opposed the proposed “forever clause” and veto powers, viewing them as attempts to bind the island’s autonomy for generations. Pentagon officials argue that melting Arctic ice is opening new strategic routes, requiring expanded radar and military bases across Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. However, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen insists environmental rules will remain strict and that decisions about business and sovereignty must rest with Greenland itself.

The Border Security Force (BSF) of India reportedly opened fire near the Sonarhat border area in Goainghat upazila of Sylhet on Monday afternoon. In response, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) returned fire immediately. According to a BGB press release issued on Tuesday, no casualties were reported, and the situation along the border has since remained calm and normal. The BGB stated that its Sylhet Battalion (48 BGB) acted promptly and professionally to bring the situation under control. Following the incident, BGB increased patrols and surveillance across the border area to prevent further escalation. The force emphasized that it remains on high alert to respond to any provocative or unwanted incidents along the frontier. BGB reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Bangladesh’s sovereignty and border security with professionalism and firmness, ensuring stability in the affected region.

Global health experts have warned that the world’s capacity to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks is weakening. The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) issued a report on Monday stating that outbreaks are becoming more frequent and severe, while investments in pandemic preparedness are failing to keep pace with rising risks. The warning came amid ongoing Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The report highlighted that climate crises, armed conflicts, and geopolitical divisions are worsening the threat of disease spread, while global cooperation is being undermined by political and commercial interests. The World Health Organization (WHO) convened an emergency scientific consultation to guide vaccine and treatment research. WHO officials also reported shortages of protective equipment in Kinshasa, with aid groups such as the International Rescue Committee and Médecins Sans Frontières assisting response efforts. The GPMB urged world leaders to finalize a pandemic treaty ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments and to establish a permanent independent monitoring system. It warned that continued erosion of trust and cooperation could leave every country more vulnerable to the next pandemic.

At least ten people, including children and elderly residents, were injured in stray dog attacks over two days in several areas of Saghata upazila in Gaibandha district. Locals reported that packs of aggressive stray dogs have been roaming freely in markets, roads, and neighborhoods, disrupting daily life and spreading fear. Many victims had to travel to Gaibandha or Bogura to receive rabies vaccinations due to the lack of supply at local facilities. Residents and business owners expressed growing concern over the uncontrolled stray dog population, noting frequent attacks in crowded market areas. The chairman of Bharatkhali Union Parishad confirmed awareness of the incidents and said the matter had been reported to the upazila administration. Health officials acknowledged that the Saghata Upazila Health Complex has had no rabies vaccine supply for a year, leaving patients in distress. The upazila livestock officer stated that a special team has been formed to control the situation. Plans include deploying a dog-catching team and initiating vaccination drives for stray dogs to prevent further incidents.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government aims to eliminate corruption and harassment in land services. He made the statement on Tuesday morning at the inauguration of the 'Land Service Fair 2026' held at the Land Building in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The fair will run nationwide for three days, from May 19 to May 21. Rahman highlighted that with the country’s growing population, per capita land availability is decreasing, leading to rising land value and disputes. These conflicts, he said, disrupt family peace and hinder national development. To address this, the government is prioritizing planned land use, accurate record-keeping, and efficient management. He added that the Land Ministry is using advanced technology to conduct surveys and prepare precise land records. The government considers the fair part of fulfilling its election pledges, aiming to modernize land management and make services more accessible through digital platforms.

The article discusses how Bangladesh’s border security and bilateral relations with India are increasingly influenced by political developments in West Bengal. It notes that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) recent victory in the state has introduced new uncertainties for Bangladesh, given the state’s long shared border and the BJP’s stance on citizenship and identity politics. The piece highlights that earlier political eras under the Congress, Left Front, and Trinamool Congress did not treat citizenship and religious identity as major electoral issues. The analysis traces the evolution of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), explaining how these policies have intensified religious polarization and raised fears among Muslim communities. It argues that the NRC and CAA, while presented as measures for national security, have largely become tools of political division, particularly affecting Bengali Muslims in border regions. The author concludes that Bangladesh must adopt strategic policies to reduce dependency on India, diversify trade and energy partnerships, and strengthen its diplomatic position in regional negotiations, especially regarding border management and water-sharing agreements.

During nearly six weeks of continuous attacks by the United States and Israel, Israeli warplanes bombed and severely damaged about 30 universities across Iran, including Tehran’s Sharif University of Technology. Scholars have described the strikes as an assault on education and knowledge. The attacks targeted major research institutions that form the backbone of Iran’s scientific and technological progress. The report argues that Israel deliberately targeted these universities to obstruct Iran’s advancement in modern science and technology. It also criticizes Western media, particularly The New York Times, for framing the destruction of Iranian universities through a political lens rather than as an attack on education. Iranian academics and students reportedly view the bombings as an attempt to undermine Iran’s sovereignty and technological independence. The article further claims that Israel’s actions reflect a broader hostility toward higher education in Muslim countries and warns that similar threats have been made against universities in Turkey and Pakistan. It also draws parallels between physical bombings in the Middle East and ideological attacks on academic freedom in Western universities.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha 2026, the Highway Police have implemented special security measures on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, particularly in the Iliotganj police station area of Cumilla. Under the direction of Cumilla Region Highway Police Superintendent Mohammad Shahinur Alam Khan, an additional range reserve force has been deployed to prevent traffic congestion, theft, robbery, and snatching incidents. The additional police personnel, brought from Chattogram, will remain on duty from Tuesday until the end of the Eid period. According to Highway Police sources, continuous patrols, traffic control, and increased monitoring of suspicious vehicles have been arranged to ensure a smooth and safe journey for homebound travelers within the Cumilla region. Iliotganj Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Zakir Shikder confirmed that the force is on high alert to minimize public suffering and maintain order on the highway. The measures are part of a broader effort to ensure that the large number of people traveling home for Eid can do so safely and without major disruptions.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned that any U.S. military action against Cuba would lead to 'bloodshed' and create an unprecedented crisis for regional peace and stability. He made the statement on social media platform X, emphasizing that Cuba poses no threat to anyone. His remarks followed a report by U.S. outlet Axios, which cited classified intelligence alleging that Cuba had acquired over 300 military drones and discussed potential attacks on the U.S. naval base at Guantánamo Bay, American warships, and Key West in Florida. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez separately stated that Cuba has the legitimate right to self-defense under the UN Charter and international law. He accused those seeking to attack Cuba of using false pretexts to justify their actions. The tensions come amid severe energy shortages in Cuba following the U.S. suspension of fuel supplies after the arrest of Venezuela’s president in January. Relations between the two countries have further deteriorated after reports that U.S. prosecutors plan to indict former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two humanitarian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is set to make the VAT Identification Number (BIN) mandatory for registering land and vehicles under business entities, as well as for obtaining essential services such as electricity, gas, and water. According to NBR sources, this proposal will be included in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget to expand VAT coverage and increase the number of registered businesses. An NBR official said the next budget will prioritize bringing unregistered businesses under VAT registration. The registration process will be simplified by removing certain documentation requirements, such as bank account details, and enabling online registration. Currently, businesses with annual turnover above 3 million taka must register for VAT, but many remain outside the system. The new plan aims to include them while offering special exemptions for smaller enterprises. Officials added that small businesses may be allowed to submit VAT returns annually or semiannually instead of monthly. The NBR’s initiative follows a recent meeting with the Prime Minister, emphasizing broader participation in national development through fair tax compliance.

Farmers and households in Debiganj upazila of Panchagarh have prepared 23,133 sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, exceeding the local demand of 17,220 by nearly 6,000. According to the upazila livestock department, more than 600 farmers and families have raised these animals, with cattle making up the majority. Among them are 13,126 cows, including 9,020 bulls, 1,501 oxen, and 2,605 cows, along with 9,505 goats, 420 sheep, and 82 buffaloes. Officials noted that commercial livestock farming has grown in Debiganj in recent years, with many families also raising animals at home in preparation for the festival. Farmers said that despite higher costs for feed and care, they expect good prices during the Eid market. The livestock officer confirmed there is no shortage of animals and that regular inspections are being conducted to ensure healthy and safe livestock. Local markets such as Bhaulaganj, Tepriganj, Laxirhat, and Kaliganj have already started receiving animals, and some will also be sold in nearby Domar upazila of Nilphamari. Authorities have taken measures to ensure market security and prevent counterfeit currency transactions.

Bangladesh has approved the long-discussed Padma Barrage Project to address the country's worsening water crisis caused by reduced flow from the Ganges, known locally as the Padma. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council has given final approval to the project, with an estimated cost of Tk 50,443.64 crore. The government has allocated Tk 34,497.25 crore for the first phase. Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anwar stated that there is no need for discussions with India regarding this project, which aims to store about 2,900 million cubic meters of water in the Padma River. The project seeks to revive five rivers—Hisna-Mathabhanga, Gorai-Madhumati, Chandana-Barasia, Baral, and Ichamati—by supplying around 800 cubic meters of water per second during the dry season. It is expected to benefit nearly 2.9 million hectares of farmland across southwestern Bangladesh and generate 113 megawatts of hydroelectric power. Experts believe the barrage will help mitigate salinity and waterlogging in the Sundarbans region. Analysts note that India’s water diversion through the Farakka Barrage has long reduced Bangladesh’s river flow. The new project is seen as a strategic response to safeguard national water resources and agricultural productivity.

An elderly man named Ali Hossen, aged 70, from Noakhali Para in Baharchhara Union of Teknaf upazila, Cox’s Bazar, returned home three days after being abducted by armed men who identified themselves as police officers. According to his family, the abductors released him on Monday evening after receiving a ransom of four lakh taka. The incident occurred around 1:45 a.m. on May 16, when several armed individuals entered Ali Hossen’s home and forcibly took him to a remote hilly area described as a robbers’ hideout. His younger brother, Syed Ahmad, said the kidnappers later contacted the family by phone to demand ransom. After the payment was made on Sunday afternoon, Ali was freed the following evening. The family reported that the abductors threatened to kill them if they informed anyone, leaving them in fear. Officer-in-Charge of Teknaf Model Police Station, Md Saiful Islam, stated that the police had not been informed about the incident.

All long-distance bus services to and from Naogaon have been suspended after a bus driver was assaulted early Tuesday. Transport workers stopped operations around 9 a.m. following the attack, which occurred when an Ekota Paribahan bus arrived at the Dhaka bus stand area around 1:30 a.m. Several youths allegedly beat the driver without cause and later vandalized the company’s counter. Passengers at the scene expressed frustration over the sudden suspension, saying it disrupted their travel plans ahead of Eid and urgent work trips. Habibur Rahman, waiting to travel to Gaibandha, said such strikes frequently cause hardship, while Munira Akter noted she could not reach Dhaka on time due to the stoppage. Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury, general secretary of the district bus owners’ association, confirmed the suspension but said details of the incident were still unclear. Naogaon Sadar Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge Mohammad Asaduzzaman stated that a meeting with all parties was being arranged to restore normal operations soon.

Former US Ambassador to Algeria Henry Ensher has said that all military options available to US President Donald Trump in the event of a war with Iran are 'terrible.' He made the remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera, highlighting the difficult position Trump faces regarding potential military action against Iran. Ensher explained that if Trump were to launch a limited strike on Iran, he would face criticism without achieving any real impact on the Iranian regime. Conversely, a large-scale attack could significantly increase the risk of American casualties and might still fail to achieve its objectives. He described Trump’s military choices as extremely unfavorable. Ensher further noted that Trump might be hoping that Gulf countries would urge him to refrain from renewed attacks on Iran, as the president himself may prefer to avoid further escalation.